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Each Christmas time, Santa Claus brings me a new musical instrument. It has been a fun tradition that has spanned many years in my home, much to the amusement of my wife and six children. Harmonicas, tambourines, concertinas; all have been unwrapped on Christmas day in my home. Without a doubt, it keeps my family guessing, as they wonder just what is Santa going to bring Daddy this year?
Well, this year, Santa Claus brought me a guitar. Now, I must be honest with you; I have no idea, whatsoever, how to play a guitar, but I know there are many benefits to playing the guitar. Not only is it enjoyable, but it also helps to reduce stress, it also helps to sharpen the brain, something I need to have, as it seems that raising 6 children tends to dull my brain, at times. Whether I am playing by myself, or with an audience, it can be very soothing. At the same time, I need no other instruments to play along with. A guitar is a great stand alone instrument.
One of the aspects I love about my harmonicas is that they are incredibly portable. I can take one with me wherever I go. The same is true with a guitar; they are easy to travel with, and take no time at all to set up and begin playing. Have a guitar, and you have music ready to go.
Who knows; maybe next year, Santa will bring me my own band.
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I envision that next Christmas Eve, I will sit in front of the Christmas tree, and play Christmas carols, while my wife and children sing Christmas songs. After all, guitar playing, I have discovered, is very socially engaging. It seems that everyone loves the sounds of an acoustic guitar.
With my busy schedule of work, six children, and a host of other responsibilities, I have very little time to commit to attending any type of guitar lessons with a professional instructor. Yet, I want to learn how to play. With this in mind, I spent Christmas night on the computer turning to the internet, to learn how to play, and to find lessons for beginners online. After all, with my busy schedule, online course allow me the freedom to pick when I want to learn, all in the comfort of my home.
Now, I don’t expect to be a guitar hero any time, soon. Yet, I do hope that within a few short weeks, I will have learned a simple song or two. Who knows; maybe next year, Santa will bring me my own band.
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